By Heather Hintze

Eugene, Ore. -- A few firefighters from Eugene and Springfield were at Oakway Mall Sunday, climbing a stairmaster to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Firefighters took turns putting on all of their 50 pounds of gear, complete with oxygen tanks, and hopping on the stair master. They each climbed for about 20 minutes, or until their oxygen tanks ran low.

Firefighters say it's a great way to stay in shape and raise awareness at the same time.

"It's not easy but it's a task that we do to keep ourselves aware of what's going on with leukemia or lymphoma," said Frank Folino with the Eugene Fire Department. "

And the challenge we go through is just minute compared to the challenges people with leukemia or lymphoma are going through."

The firefighters are training for an even bigger fundraiser in Seattle in March: the 19th Annual Scott Firefighter Stair Climb.

Eighteen firefighters from Eugene and a few from Springfield will participate in the challenge, where they have to climb 69 flights of stairs as fast as they can, in full gear.

Their fundraising goal today was $1,500.

They hope to raise even more money by the stair climb in March.

If you'd like to donate, click here.